Dehydration control method of drum washing machine

ABSTRACT

In a dehydration control method of a drum washing machine capable of improving reliability of eccentricity sensing by sensing not only forward eccentricity but also diagonal eccentricity by performing eccentricity sensing at a low speed and a high speed respectively, the method includes a first step for accelerating a drum to a first rotational speed when a uniforming process is finished; a second step for measuring first eccentricity when the rotational speed of the drum reaches the first rotational speed; a third step for comparing the measured first eccentricity with a preset first reference eccentricity; a fourth step for storing the measured first eccentricity when the measured first eccentricity is less than the preset first reference eccentricity in the third step; a fifth step for accelerating the rotational speed of the drum to a second rotational speed and measuring a second eccentricity when it reaches the second rotational speed; a sixth process for comparing the measured second eccentricity with the stored first eccentricity; and a seventh step for performing a dehydrating process when the measured second eccentricity is less than the stored first eccentricity.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.10/330,122, filed Dec. 30, 2002, the contents of which is expresslyincorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a drum washing machine, and inparticular to a dehydration control method of a drum washing machinewhich is capable of preventing vibration and noise due to excessiveeccentricity and securing reliability of eccentricity sensing.

2. Description of the Prior Art

In general, a drum washing machine performs a dehydrating processthrough a uniforming process after a cleaning process is finished.Herein, the uniforming process is for uniforming the laundry tangled inthe cleaning process, tangle of the laundry is loosened by separatingthe laundry from the internal wall of a drum by rotating the drum at alow speed. And, after the uniforming process is finished, in thedehydrating process, the drum is rotated at a high speed in the oppositedirection of the uniforming process, and accordingly moisture containedin the laundry is removed.

Herein, when the drum is rotated at a high speed in the dehydratingprocess and the laundry is eccentrically placed in the drum, vibrationand noise occur, various parts installed inside the washing machine maybe damaged or dehydration performance may be lowered.

Therefore, the drum washing machine senses eccentricity of the laundrystored in the drum after the uniforming process and determines whetherit proceeds the dehydrating process.

FIG. 1 is a flow chart illustrating a dehydration control method of adrum washing machine in accordance with the conventional art.

As depicted in FIG. 1, in the conventional dehydration control method ofthe drum washing machine, after the cleaning process is finished, theuniforming process for uniforming tangle of the laundry is performed asshown at step S1, when the uniforming process is finished, the drum isrotated in the opposite direction of the uniforming process up to a setspeed as shown at step S2. And, when a rotational speed of the drumreaches the set speed, RPM variation of a driving motor rotating thedrum is measured as shown at step S3.

Eccentricity of the laundry is measured on the basis of the RPMvariation of the driving motor, the measured eccentricity is comparedwith a preset reference eccentricity, when the measured eccentricity iswithin the range of a permitted limit, the dehydrating process isperformed, when the measured eccentricity exceeds the permitted limit,the uniforming process is re-performed as shown at steps S4 and S5.

As described above, when the measured eccentricity is greater than thereference eccentricity, the uniforming process is re-performed in orderto lower the eccentricity of the laundry so as to be within thepermitted limit.

However, in the conventional dehydration control method of the drumwashing machine, because eccentricity of the laundry is judged bymeasuring RPM variation of the driving motor only in one case, ameasuring result is not accurate. Particularly, because diagonaleccentricity can not be sensed accurately, reliability of aneccentricity measuring value is lowered.

Herein, the laundry may be arranged eccentrically in many ways, however,it can be largely divided into forward eccentricity and diagonaleccentricity. In more detail, as depicted in FIG. 2, in taking a sideview of a drum 10, when the laundry is placed on only one of a firstposition 20 and a second position 30, it is called the forwardeccentricity, when the laundry is placed on both the first and secondpositions 20, 30, it is called as the diagonal eccentricity.

When the diagonal eccentricity occurs, in taking a front view of thedrum 10, it looks as if eccentricity does not occur, however, RPMvariation is different from that of the forward eccentricity inproceeding of the dehydrating process.

FIG. 3 is a graph showing RPM variation in the forward eccentricityaccording to an acceleration time increase of the drum in accordancewith the conventional art, and FIG. 4 is a graph showing RPM variationin the diagonal eccentricity according to an acceleration time increaseof the drum in accordance with the conventional art.

As depicted in FIG. 3, in the forward eccentricity, when the drum isrotated at a low speed, namely, in the early dehydrating process, RPMvariation is the greatest, and RPM variation is gradually loweredaccording to a rotational speed increase of the drum.

As described-above, in the forward eccentricity, because RPM variationis great in the early dehydrating process, it is possible to graspeccentricity occurrence by measuring RPM variation at an earlyrotational speed (P) of the drum.

However, as depicted in FIG. 4, in the diagonal eccentricity, early RPMvariation is small, then, RPM variation increases according to a gradualrotational speed increase of the drum. Because RPM variation is measuredat one fixed rotational speed (P) in the early dehydrating process inthe conventional art, it is impossible to detect eccentricityoccurrence, and accordingly reliability of eccentricity sensing islowered. In addition, because vibration and noise occur due to theeccentricity occurrence, internal parts of the washing machine may bedamaged, and a dehydration performance of the washing machine may belowered.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, it is an object of thepresent invention to provide a dehydration control method of a drumwashing machine which is capable of improving reliability ofeccentricity sensing, lowering noise and vibration occurred in adehydrating process and improving a dehydration performance by sensingnot only forward eccentricity but also diagonal eccentricity byperforming eccentricity sensing at a low speed and a high speed.

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, a dehydration controlmethod of a drum washing machine in accordance with the presentinvention includes a first step for accelerating a drum to a firstrotational speed when a uniforming process is finished; a second stepfor measuring first eccentricity when the rotational speed of the drumreaches the first rotational speed; a third step for comparing themeasured first eccentricity with a preset first reference eccentricity;a fourth step for storing the measured first eccentricity when themeasured first eccentricity is less than the preset first referenceeccentricity in the third step; a fifth step for accelerating therotational speed of the drum to a second rotational speed and measuringa second eccentricity when it reaches the second rotational speed; asixth process for comparing the measured second eccentricity with thestored first eccentricity; and a seventh step for performing adehydrating process when the measured second eccentricity is less thanthe stored first eccentricity.

The method further includes re-performing the uniforming process afterstopping the rotation of the drum when the first eccentricity measuredin the third step is greater than the preset reference eccentricity.

The sixth step includes the sub-steps of comparing the measured secondeccentricity with a preset second reference eccentricity when themeasured second eccentricity is greater than the stored firsteccentricity; and performing the dehydrating process when the secondeccentricity is less than the second reference eccentricity orre-performing the uniforming process after stopping the rotation of thedrum when the second eccentricity is greater than the second referenceeccentricity.

The sixth step further includes the sub-steps of comparing the measuredsecond eccentricity with a preset second reference eccentricity when themeasured second eccentricity is greater than the stored firsteccentricity; and performing the dehydrating process when the secondeccentricity is less than the second reference eccentricity.

The sixth step further includes the sub-step of re-performing theuniforming process after stopping the rotation of the drum when thesecond eccentricity is less than the second reference eccentricity.

Eccentricity is obtained by measuring RPM variation of the driving motorwith a RPM sensing unit installed at the driving motor for driving thedrum.

The uniforming process is performed within the range of 50˜58 RPM.

The first rotational speed is within the range of 100˜108 RPM.

The first rotational speed is maintained for about 7 seconds.

The second rotational speed is about 180 RPM.

The second rotational speed is maintained for about 7 seconds.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a furtherunderstanding of the invention and are incorporated in and constitute apart of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention andtogether with the description serve to explain the principles of theinvention.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a flow chart illustrating a dehydration control method of adrum washing machine in accordance with the conventional art;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating forward eccentricity anddiagonal eccentricity occurred in a general drum washing machine;

FIG. 3 is a graph showing RPM variation in forward eccentricityaccording to a time increase in a dehydratingprocess in accordance withthe conventional art;

FIG. 4 is a graph showing RPM variation in diagonal eccentricityaccording to a time increase in a dehydratingprocess in accordance withthe conventional art;

FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating a dehydration control apparatusof a drum washing machine in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a flow chart illustrating a dehydration control method of adrum washing machine in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a graph showing an eccentricity measuring process in adehydratingprocess in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a graph showing RPM variation in forward eccentricityaccording to an acceleration time increase of a drum in accordance withthe present invention; and

FIG. 9 is a graph showing RPM variation in diagonal eccentricityaccording to an acceleration time increase of the drum in accordancewith the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Hereinafter, the preferred embodiment of the present invention will bedescribed with reference to accompanying drawings.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating a dehydration control apparatusof a drum washing machine in accordance with the present invention, FIG.6 is a flow chart illustrating a dehydration control method of a drumwashing machine in accordance with the present invention, and FIG. 7 isa graph showing an eccentricity measuring process in a dehydratingprocess in accordance with the present invention.

The dehydration control apparatus includes a RPM sensing unit 50installed at a driving motor driving the drum and measuring RPM of thedriving motor; a control unit 60 for judging eccentricity occurrenceaccording to a signal applied from the RPM sensing unit 50; and adriving motor 70 for adjusting a rotational speed of the drum accordingto the signal applied from the control unit 60.

Next, a dehydrating process of the drum washing machine will bedescribed in detail with reference to accompanying FIG. 6 and FIG. 7.

First, after the cleaning process of the drum washing machine isfinished, a uniforming process for uniforming tangle of the laundry isperformed as shown at step S10. Herein, in the uniforming process, it ispreferable to maintain RPM of the driving motor 70 for driving the drumwithin the range of 50˜58 RPM.

When the uniforming process is finished, a rotational speed of the drumis accelerated and is maintained as a first rotational speed (L1) asshown at step S20. In more detail, by accelerating the rotational speedof the drum and rotating the drum in the opposite direction of theuniforming process, the first rotational speed (L1) of the driving motor70 is maintained as about 100˜108 RPM. Herein, a maintaining time (T1)of the first rotational speed (L1) of the driving motor 70 is about 7seconds.

When the drum maintains the first rotational speed (L1) in rotation,first RPM variation of the driving motor 70 is measured as shown at stepS30. First eccentricity (I) of the laundry is grasped according to themeasured first RPM variation, and the measured first eccentricity (I) iscompared with preset first reference eccentricity (S1) as shown at stepS40.

In more detail, when the first RPM variation is applied from the RPMsensing unit 50 to the control unit 60, the control unit 60 grasps themeasured first eccentricity (I) of the laundry on the basis of the firstRPM variation and compares the measured first eccentricity (I) with thefirst reference eccentricity (S1).

In the judging result, when the measured first eccentricity (I) exceedsa permitted limit, the rotation of the drum is stopped, and theuniforming process is re-performed. And, in the judging result, when themeasured first eccentricity (I) is within the permitted limit, themeasured first eccentricity (I) is stored as shown at step S50.

After storing the measured first eccentricity (I), the drum isaccelerated to a second rotational speed (L2) and is rotated at thatspeed for a certain time as shown at step S60. In more detail, byaccelerating the drum rotating at the first rotational speed (L1) more,the driving motor maintains about 180 RPM in the rotation at the secondrotational speed (L2). Herein, it is preferable for a maintenance timeof the second rotational speed to be about 7 seconds.

In that process, when the drum maintains the second rotational speed(L2) in the rotation, a second eccentricity (II) is measured and iscompared with the stored first eccentricity (I) as shown at steps S70and S80. In more detail, by measuring the second RPM variation at thesecond rotational speed of the motor with the RPM sensing unit 50installed at the side of the driving motor and transmitting it to thecontrol unit 60, the control unit 60 grasps the second measuredeccentricity (II) on the basis of the second RPM variation and comparesthe second measured eccentricity (II) with the stored measured firsteccentricity (I).

when it is judged the second measured eccentricity (II) is less than thestored measured first eccentricity (I), the second measured eccentricity(II) is within the permitted limit, and accordingly the dehydratingprocess is performed as shown at step S90.

And, when it is judged the second measured eccentricity (II) is greaterthan the stored measured first eccentricity (I), the second measuredeccentricity (II) is compared with a preset second referenceeccentricity (S2) as shown at step S100.

When it is judged the second measured eccentricity (II) is greater thanthe preset second reference eccentricity (S2), it is judged theeccentricity of the laundry exceeds the permitted limit, and accordinglythe uniforming process is re-performed. And, when it is judged thesecond measured eccentricity (II) is less than the preset secondreference eccentricity (S2), the dehydrating process is performed byrotating the driving motor at a high speed.

Advantages of the control method of the drum washing machine inaccordance with the present invention will be described.

As depicted in FIG. 8, in the forward eccentricity, because RPMvariation is great in the early dehydration process, eccentricityoccurrence can be grasped sufficiently by measuring RPM variation at thefirst rotational speed (L1) of the driving motor 70.

And, in the diagonal eccentricity, as depicted in FIG. 9, early RPMvariation is small, then, RPM variation increases according to a gradualincrease rotational speed of the drum, eccentricity occurrence can begrasped sufficiently by measuring RPM variation at the second rotationalspeed (L2) of the driving motor 70.

As described above, in the dehydration control method of the drumwashing machine in accordance with the present invention, by measuringRPM variation at a low rotational speed and a high rotational speed ofthe drum respectively, not only forward eccentricity but also diagonaleccentricity occurrence can be sufficiently grasped, and accordingly itis possible to improve reliability of eccentricity measuring, lowernoise and vibration occurred in a cleaning process of the drum washingmachine and improve a dehydration performance.

1. A dehydration control method of a washing machine, comprising:accelerating a drum to a first rotational speed after a uniformingprocess; changing the drum speed to a second rotational speed; andcontinuing the dehydration process after maintaining the secondrotational speed for a preset period.
 2. The dehydration control methodaccording to claim 1, wherein the uniforming is performed within a rangeof about 50-58 RPM.
 3. The dehydration control method according to claim1, wherein the first rotational speed is within a range of about 100-108RPM.
 4. The dehydration control method according to claim 1, wherein thesecond rotational speed is about 180 RPM.
 5. A dehydration controlmethod of a washing machine, comprising: accelerating a drum to a firstrotational speed after a uniforming process; maintaining the firstrotational speed for a preset period; changing the drum speed to asecond rotational speed; and continuing the dehydration process aftermaintaining the second rotational speed for a preset period.
 6. Thedehydration control method according to claim 5, wherein the uniformingis performed within a range of about 50-58 RPM.
 7. The dehydrationcontrol method according to claim 5, wherein the first rotational speedis within a range of about 100-108 RPM.
 8. The dehydration controlmethod according to claim 5, wherein the second rotational speed isabout 180 RPM.
 9. A dehydration control method of a washing machine,comprising: accelerating a drum to a first rotational speed after auniforming process; maintaining the first rotational speed for a presetperiod; judging if an eccentricity of laundry exceeds a permitted limitat the first speed; changing the drum speed to a second rotational speedwhen the eccentricity is within the limit; and continuing thedehydration process after maintaining the second rotational speed for apreset period.
 10. The dehydration control method according to claim 9,wherein the eccentricity is obtained by measuring RPM variation of thedriving motor with an RPM sensing unit installed at a driving motor ofthe drum.
 11. The dehydration control method according to claim 9,further comprising: stopping and re-accelerating the drum speed when theeccentricity of laundry exceeds a permitted limit at the first speed 12.A dehydration control method of a washing machine, comprising:accelerating a drum to a first rotational speed after a uniformingprocess; maintaining the first rotational speed for a preset period;changing the drum speed to a second rotational speed; maintaining thesecond rotational speed for a preset period; judging if an eccentricityof laundry exceeds a permitted limit at the second speed; and continuingthe dehydration process after maintaining the second rotational speedfor the preset period.
 13. The dehydration control method according toclaim 12, wherein the eccentricity is obtained by measuring RPMvariation of the driving motor with an RPM sensing unit installed at adriving motor of the drum.
 14. The dehydration control method accordingto claim 12, further comprising: stopping and re-accelerating the drumspeed when the eccentricity of laundry exceeds a permitted limit at thesecond speed
 15. The dehydration control method according to claim 12,further comprising: changing the drum speed to the first speed if theeccentricity of laundry exceeds a permitted limit at the second speed.16. A dehydration control method of a washing machine, comprising:accelerating a drum to a first rotational speed after a uniformingprocess; maintaining the first rotational speed for a preset period;judging if an eccentricity of laundry exceeds a permitted limit at thefirst speed; changing the drum speed to a second rotational speed whenthe eccentricity is within the limit; maintaining the second rotationalspeed for a preset period; judging if an eccentricity of laundry exceedsa permitted limit at the second speed; and determining if thedehydration process is continued at the second speed.
 17. Thedehydration control method according to claim 16, wherein theeccentricity is obtained by measuring RPM variation of the driving motorwith an RPM sensing unit installed at a driving motor of the drum. 18.The dehydration control method according to claim 16, furthercomprising: stopping and re-accelerating the drum speed when theeccentricity of laundry exceeds a permitted limit at the first speed 19.The dehydration control method according to claim 16, furthercomprising: stopping and re-accelerating the drum speed when theeccentricity of laundry exceeds a permitted limit at the second speed20. The dehydration control method according to claim 16, furthercomprising: changing the drum speed to the first speed if theeccentricity of laundry exceeds a permitted limit at the second speed.21. The dehydration control method according to claim 16, furthercomprising: maintaining the first rotational speed for a preset period;judging if an eccentricity of laundry exceeds a permitted limit at thefirst speed; and changing the drum speed to a second rotational speedwhen the eccentricity is within the limit.